Fees and Charges

Confirmation of session fees will be given with your offer letter.  We do not offer discounts for siblings.

If parents access hours above the free entitlement they will be charged per hour at a rate set by the committee.  Parents will be notified of the charge when the child’s hours are confirmed.

Current Fees: £5.75 per hour (September 2017)

The Free Entitlement (Early Education Funding)

The local authority provides funding so that a child can access 15 hours free entitlement for 38 weeks a year from the term after their third birthday.  The following table shows when your child will become eligible.

 

A child born on or between:	Becomes eligible for free entitlement from:
1st April and 31st August	Autumn Term (September)
1st Sep and 31st Dec	Spring Term (January)
1st Jan and 31st March	Summer Term (April)

The funding will continue until the term after a child’s fifth birthday or until the child takes up place in a reception or year one class at a maintained school.

We will need to see a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate to confirm that your child is eligible for the free entitlement.  We will ask you to fill out a parent declaration form each term by a given date in order to receive your funding for the next term.

Deposits / Registration Fees

No compulsory registration fees will be charged to parents who are only accessing their free entitlement.  If parents choose to start their children with us before they are eligible for the free entitlement they will be charged a non-refundable registration fee.

Lunches / Snacks

Lunch club is delivered as part of the learning experience and therefore it can be included in a child’s free 15 hours entitlement.  No compulsory fees will be charged for food at lunch time.  Parents are expected to provide a lunch (including a drink) for their child.

You will not be charged for the drink and snack that your child is offered during each session.  If your child requires particular food or drink which we do not routinely stock, you may be asked to supply this yourself.

Uniforms

Parents have the option to purchase South Hill Park Pre-school uniform for their child; this consists of t-shirts and sweat shirts.  Uniform is not compulsory. Second hand uniform is often available for a small voluntary donation.

Sundries

No compulsory fees for sundries will be charged to parents only accessing the free entitlement.  Parents are expected to provide their own nappies, wipes, suncream etc.  Items such as soap, hand towels etc are included in your free entitlement.

Extra Activities

If parents wish to take up extra activities that we may offer occasionally they can expect to pay for these (e.g. Christmas pantomime trip), as such activities are over and above the requirements of the foundation stage.  However, such activities will be optional so you can choose not to participate if you wish.

Voluntary Contributions

We will not insist on voluntary contributions (either financial or non-financial) in order for parents to access free entitlement sessions.  However, please note that session fees only cover the day to day running costs of the Pre-school, therefore all extras, e.g. new equipment, books, snacks and cooking ingredients come from fundraising and donations and your support is always appreciated. 

Holiday and Sickness

You must still pay fees even if your child does not attend on a particular session (e.g. family holiday; child sickness).  This is because their space is still kept for them and we still have to pay staff wages and other costs.

Bank Holidays and Inset Days

You will not be charged for sessions if the Pre-school is closed for a public holiday.  You will not be charged for sessions on a planned Inset Day (staff training or preparation).

Closures Beyond our Control

Occasionally the Pre-school has to close due to exceptional circumstances over which we have no control.  Examples of this might include severe weather conditions, vandalism, flu or other virus outbreaks.  If the Pre-school is closed for five days or less then you will still be charged for these sessions.  We will endeavour to keep parents updated through our website and by e-mails.

Price Increases

Our fees are reviewed by the committee every spring.  It is likely that they will increase by a small amount each year and this increase will come into force each September.  If you will still be paying fees at the time of the increase you will be given at least 28 days notice of this.  Fees will not normally increase at any other time of the year.  If we have to increase fees during the year for reasons beyond our control, parents will always be given 28 days advance notice of this.

Invoicing

Parents who do not yet receive the free entitlement or are purchasing additional hours will receive an invoice from us before the beginning of each half-term period.  A half-term period is usually between five and seven weeks.  The invoice will show clearly what the charges are in relation to.  Fees are payable in advance and are due before the first day of the period they relate to (the first day of each half term).  You will always be given a minimum of three weeks to pay your invoice.  Please pay by cheque, via internet banking or through employer childcare voucher systems (please ask for details).

Payment Difficulties

If you are experiencing financial difficulties then you must speak to Lisa as soon as you can.  We may be able to arrange for you to pay in installments.  There are sometimes additional ways that we can help you.  Speak to the Pre-school Manager and bring details and proof of your current financial situation.

Notice of Termination

Four weeks (term time) written notice (NOT including half terms, breaks, etc.) must be given to the Pre-school Manager (other than those children leaving to start statutory school at the age of five) or a notice payment of £150 will be required as agreed in the Notice of Termination policy.  This payment is always enforced and legal action is taken where necessary.